Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for October–December 2025
New GatorWise Swag – Keeping Alligators Wild and People Safe
by Alicia Wassmer, Alligator Biologist
A t the 4th annual Lake Waccamaw Alligator Festival held during April 2026 at the Elizabeth Brinkley Park in the town of Lake Waccamaw, stickers and magnets bearing the catchphrase “Keep Alligators Wild” were popular freebies picked up by festi- valgoers at the NCWRC informational booth. Throughout the event, agency staff hosting the booth chatted with countless locals and visitors, answering questions about alligator biology, the vital ecological roles of alligators, and – most importantly – how to coexist responsibly with these large, native reptiles by being GatorWise. In 2025, wildlife agencies in each of the 11 states where American Alligators live worked together to launch GatorWise®, a regional outreach initiative modeled after BearWise®. This campaign seeks to provide reliable resources to the public and deliver clear and consistent communications about how to avoid human-alligator conflicts and live responsibly with Alligators. No matter which state they’re in, people can be GatorWise by following the same set of GatorWise Basics: • Assume alligators are present • Never feed alligators • Don’t dispose of fish or food scraps in water • Never harass, capture, or handle an alligator • Be responsible for people and pets in your care • Maintain awareness anytime you are in or near water By learning the 6 GatorWise Basics, residents and visitors can make informed decisions about their behavior and take action to keep Alligators wild and people safe. To learn more, visit GatorWise.org .
ALICIA WASSMER/NCWRC
Outreach booth promoting GatorWise at the 2026 Lake Waccamaw Alligator Festival.
Stickers and refrigerator magnets were given out to support adoption of GatorWise behaviors.
Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker